Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has once again secured a decisive victory in the recent July 15 presidential election, winning over 99 percent of the vote. This result is consistent with Kagame’s historical performance in presidential elections, where he has never garnered less than 93 percent of the vote.
Kagame’s electoral history
Kagame has been a dominant figure in Rwandan politics for more than two decades. He first assumed the presidency in 2000 following the resignation of President Pasteur Bizimungu. In the subsequent elections, Kagame continued to dominate:
- 2003: 95 percent
- 2010: 93 percent
- 2017: 98.9 percent
- 2023: over 99 percent
The voter turnout in Rwanda has consistently exceeded 90 percent, further solidifying the overwhelming support Kagame receives from the electorate. However, his impressive vote percentages invite comparisons with other long-serving African leaders known for securing similarly high electoral margins.
Obiang: The ‘King of 90 percents’
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, in power for nearly 45 years, has consistently secured over 90 percent of the vote in elections. His results from five elections between 1996 and 2022 ranged from 94 percent to 98 percent.
Biya and Sisi: high percentages in power
Cameroon’s Paul Biya, president for almost 42 years, has fluctuated between 40 percent and 93 percent in his election results. His lowest result was 40 percent in 1992, while he hit a high of 93 percent in 1997.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has achieved near-perfect scores in his three election bids. In 2014 and 2018, Sisi received 97 percent of the vote, and in 2023, he garnered nearly 90 percent.
Other African leaders’ election results
- Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni: In power for 38 years, his election results have ranged from 59 percent to 74 percent.
- Kenya’s William Ruto: Won the 2022 election with 50.5 percent of the vote.
- Togo’s Faure Gnassingbe: President for 19 years, with a highest vote score of 71 percent.
- Congo Republic’s Denis Sassou Nguesso: Achieved 89 percent as his highest vote score over his approximately 40 years in power.
- Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu: Won the 2023 election with 37 percent of the vote.
- Sierra Leone’s Julius Maada Bio and Ghana’s Nana Akufo-Addo: Both are serving two terms with vote percentages between 51 percent and 56 percent.
Other leaders in the 50 percent range include The Gambia’s Adama Barrow, Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema, and Malawi’s Lazarus Chakwera.
Voter turnout and multi-party democracy
Rwanda’s consistently high voter turnout has been a point of discussion. With Kagame frequently securing nearly unanimous support, questions arise about the dynamics of a multi-party democracy. How do candidates achieve such overwhelming majorities in competitive electoral systems?
President Paul Kagame’s latest electoral victory underscores his continued dominance in Rwandan politics. As comparisons are drawn with other African leaders who consistently secure high percentages of votes, the broader implications for democracy and electoral practices in Africa remain a significant topic of discussion.
